Abstract: A directional access network can include a plurality of nodes and wireless links between ones of the nodes. Topology management of the network can discover when network fragmentation exists, identify nodes positioned to heal the fragmentation, and establish new active links between the identified nodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for transmitting information in a CDMA communication system, the method including steps of (a) multiplexing data and control information into a data stream; (b) encoding the data stream to form a stream of encoded I/Q symbol pairs; (c) inserting synchronization information into the stream of encoded I/Q symbol pairs; and (d) spreading the encoded I/Q symbol pairs and the inserted synchronization information using a same pseudonoise (pn) spreading code prior to transmission as a frame. The preferred frame structure includes an unencoded synchronization field followed by a plurality of multi-byte data fields. Individual ones of the plurality of data fields are separated by a control message field. Individual ones of the control message fields contain a single byte of a multi-byte control message frame.

Abstract: An arrangement for conducting a conference call over a distributed digital network in which, at each station connected to the conference call, only voice packets from the other stations connected to the conference call are received. To avoid the need for synchronization between stations connected to the conference call, a local time base is established to define a sequence of periodic intervals during which a single voice packet will be accepted from each station connected to the conference call. The interval is advantageously set to be approximately equal the sampling period for data in a received data packet which will be reasonably uniform for all stations on the network. This provides that, typically, a maximum of one data packet will be received from any selected station during a single time base interval.

Abstract: A braiding machine comprises an annular rotor (27, 28) provided with a plurality of radially extending peripheral slots (29) between which are provided mechanisms (30) mounting first supply spools (31) on the rotor (27, 28), pivotable arm members (32) are mounted on the rotor (27, 28) for moving the strands from the spools (31) into and out of the slots (29), a plurality of carrier members (39) are mounted on the rotor for movement about the axis of the rotor (27, 28) and each carrier member (39) is provided with a second spool (44), drive (41, 42, 16) are provided for moving each carrier member (39) in the opposite direction of rotation to that of the rotor (27, 28) and at the same rotational speed, the drive (41, 42, 16) including bevel gears (42) mounted on the rotor (27, 28), a toothed rack (41) provided on each carrier member (39) in engagement with the bevel gears ( 42) and an annular driving gear (16) in engagement with the bevel gears (42), some of the bevel gears (42) being connected to a further gea

Abstract: Apparatus for analyzing distortion levels of samples which occur in data compression systems of the type that may be integrated into a data compression system or used as a stand alone analyzer. The apparatus includes a processor that is coupled to the data compression system to provide the distortion analyzing apparatus with necessary input bit allocation and power level data for each sample. Memory storage is coupled to the processor for supplying predetermined unique quantization error values corresponding to each transform coefficient representing samples of digital data in a frame of digital data to be compressed.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in cooling and/or drying or cleaning elongate material, such as drawn wire, tube or strip material, the apparatus comprising a chamber, which may be formed at least in part by a flexible tube, having an inlet and an outlet through which the material enters and leaves the chamber, and the chamber is connected via an outlet passage to a device which creates a sub-atmospheric pressure within the chamber. The sub-atmospheric pressure lowers the evaporation temperature of the cooling liquid which is on the surface of the material which evaporates and cools the material and the sub-atmospheric pressure causes air to flow into the chamber around the material in the region of the outlet and this airflow is at high velocity and wipes the material. The apparatus is preferably located on the end of a structure in which a drawing die is housed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling elongate material, such as wire, after it has been drawn through a die, in which liquid coolant is applied to the drawn elongate material in only sufficient quantity to enable all or substantially all of the applied liquid coolant to be evaporated thus utilizing the latent heat of evaporation of the liquid coolant to cool the elongate material.